James Harlon Sterling, 85, a resident of Liberty, MS, passed away peacefully, on May 29, 2024.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 at Whittington Memorial Church in Liberty, MS from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, visitation will continue on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 10:00 AM until services at 12:00 PM.  Hartman Jones Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.

Jim was born on October 19, 1938 in Liberty, MS to Dallie Sterling and Neta Bell Larimore Sterling.

Jim accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of Whittington Memorial Church in Liberty where he worshiped with his family.  He joined the United States Air Force at the age of seventeen, where he worked as an air traffic controller and later served in the Army National Guard.  He met and married his wife Ilse Sterling while stationed in Germany.  When they returned to Liberty he spent time farming, the family then moved to Woodville where he worked for the Mississippi Forestry Commission.  He received his certification in electronics and opened a shop in Centreville that he owned and operated, after retirement from the Forestry Commission.  After many enjoyable careers he worked for the VA as a Veteran Service Officer in Amite County this was his most rewarding endeavor.  Jim was a man of strength, love and compassion for his family and the community.  He exemplified two shining examples of God's love and faithfulness by striving at every turn to do only those things that pleased the Lord, and he recognized his life as "God like" and will be remembered as a man of integrity who was anointed to serve his community in both the jail ministry and with the local veterans.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ilse M. Sterling, a son Timothy James Sterling, a sister Catherine Umbrello, and a brother Louie Sterling.

He is survived by his daughter Pat Sterling Smith (Wayne) of Liberty, MS, granddaughters Rebecca Budd and Samantha Coleman (H.A.), great grandchildren Harrison Sterling Heflin and Anson Wayne Coleman, along with other family and friends.